AWWA JAW23832

Field studies were conducted in Lemont, Illinois, to evaluate specific adsorbents and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for removing radium from groundwater. A radium-selective complexer and bariumsulfate-loaded alumina appeared to have the best potential for low-cost adsorption of radium from raw water or ion exchange brines, provided that the problem of the ultimate disposal of spent media can be solved. A new, low-pressure (70-psi) RO module achieved radium and total dissolved solids (TDS) rejections of 91 and 87 percent, respectively. Central treatment with standard or low-pressure RO modules would be effective for radium removal-but expensive and unnecessary if TDS reduction is not also required. Point-of-use treatment using RO is effective for removing radium and may be cost effective for very small communities. Includes 35 references, tables, figures.